Automatic tuning means for radio sets



J. T. JONES July 19, 1938.

l t e e h S 5 b e e h S 3 S T E 0 MA A 9 R1 7 1 A n r P MA I m 1 U F C IT A M O T U A UBUDUUH UUUUUUU UUUUUU UUUUUUUU UUUDDDUUU UUDDU UUUBUDUUDDDU UUUUUU UU UUUUUDUBU UUUUD DUUB Q umnummuuuu UUUUU MMWMQ J 1UUUUU WME J mums nwflflm W ""m. mmmm. UUUUUUUU LE 70 UUDDDUUUT DDDUDUUUUUUUUUUUU" BUUUDDUU muunuuuum UUUUUUUUD UUUUUUUBU nummnunmmm 3% 3w? ::2 BDEFGHIJ SELECTOR KEYS TUNING ECHANISM CONTROL 5OLENO| o SEN SET CONNECTIDN SELECTOR BOA R D N VEN TOR John 21/0068 %W9 ATTYZs July 19, 1938..J. T. JONES 2,124,195

AUTOMATIC TUNING MEANS FOR RADIO SETS Filed April 17, 1928 3Sheets-Sheet 2 POWER RELAY POWER SOLENOID TUNiNG ARMATURE ALL URCUITSOPEN-SET UNTUNED CONTROL SOLENOID \N OPERATION POWER SOLENOlD TUNES SETNTROL SOLENOID 54 55 1 1} POWER ARMATURE POWER AEMATURE RELEAE'D- 5nREMAINS TUNED N VE N TO R 0 Jam; ZJanes 42 POWER SOLENOID 45 TO SETCONDENSi-Zifi M Z J' v BY @UJ 9 ATTYS July 19, 1938. JONES 2,124,195

AUTOMATIC TUNING MEANS FOR RADIO SETS Filed April 17, 1928 3Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTY'S Patented July 19, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEAUTOMATIC runngg lgmans FOB RADIO Application April 17, 1928, Serial No.270,652

28 Claims.

The present invention relates to a device for automatically tuning aradio set such that it will receive and reproduce program from one ormore radio broadcasting stations at predetermined future times, withoutthe necessity of touching the tuning controls once the device isadiusted for operation.

The invention further contemplates the provision of means whereby theoperation of the set may at will, be either independent of the automatictuning control, whereby said control is not operative to turn the setoil, or for making such operation dependent upon said controls wherebythe set may be turned on and oil at predetermined times as at thebeginning and end, respectively, of a desired program.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the followingdetail description, taken with the annexed drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows the keyboard and operating switch of an illustrativeembodiment;

Figure la is a detail showing a portion of a bus bar in the switchboard;

Figure 2 shows a view partly in section, as seen along the line DD ofFigure 1;

Figure 3 is a view partly in section as seen along the line EE of Figure1;

Figure 4 is a view partly in section of a tuning mechanism, taken alongsection 13-3 01' Figure Figure 5 is a view in longitudinal section ofsaid mechanism, and taken along section A-A of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along the line -0 of Figure Figure '7is a wiring diagram of the apparatus;

Figure 8 is a detail showing the method of connecting the device to aradio set;

Figures 9 to 12 inclusive, are diagrams showing the operation of thetuning mechanism;

Figures 13 and 14 are wiring diagrams showing the circuits which aremade during the operation of the device.

The drawings illustrate a set which is designed for operation by meansof the house current, but it will be understood that by simple changes,the device may be made applicable to a battery operating set.

The illustrative device as shown consists of two principal partscomprising a selector keyboard and a tuning mechanism.

The selector keyboard 20, the details of construction of which are to belater described, is shown in Figure 1 and in the illustrativeembodiment, 240 keys are provided for the tuning in of pressed key Ihave indicated by X.

Said keys make a circuit which involves a clock mechanism 2|, which asseen from Figures 3 and 7 has a contact arm 22, having contacts 23 and24 which are adapted to bear upon segments or contact pieces 25 and 26respectively. Ann 22 also has a center contact 220. by means of which itreceives current. As seen from Figure '7, contacts 26 form the outercircle shown and extend substantially the entire distance between unitperiods oi. operation, as for example, one-half hour or one hour. Forsake of simplification, twelve one-hour contacts only have been shown inFig. 7, corresponding to halt the number of keys of Fig. 1. Contactpieces 25, which are mounted on a ring 2511, are on the other hand ofvery small area, whereby the contact 23 will bear upon same for a veryshort period of but a few seconds duration. As will be further seen fromFigs. 3 and 7, each segment 28 has joined thereto conductor 21, eachconductor being adapted to make contact with the respective keys in eachof the vertical rows shown in Fig. 1 when such keys are depressed. Inother words, when any key in vertical row I" is depressed, such key willmake contact with conductor 21 from the corresponding segment I,corresponding to one oclock, for example. When such key is depressed, italso makes the circuit through the station selector magnets as willsubsequently be described.

The set, which is partially shown in Fig. '7,

consists in part of the usual tuning condensers 30, which are operatedby means of a single pulley 3| over which passes a driving cable 32,preferably of metal, which is connected in the manner shown, to a tuningarmature 33, of a solenoid 34,

such that the position of said armature determines the positionof themovable condenser plates and hence the tuning of the set. As shown inFigures 6 and '7, the cable 32 passes over pulleys 35a and 36a to saidarmature, and thence over pulley 31a back to pulley 3|. As shown in Fig.5, the position or the tuning armature 33 is determined by what I term apower armature 35 such that the armature 33 is completely controlled bypower armature 35. Power armature 35 is provided with a head 36 and itsforward movement tro-magnets A, B, C, etc., are provided, correspondingwith stations A, B, C, etc., and placedin circuit therewith as will bemore fully described. Magnets A, etc., are each provided with anarmature 42, such that when the magnet is energized, a projectingportion thereof will be brought into the path of the head 36 of thepower armature 35 and will prevent any further inward movement of saidarmature. Preferably, as shown, magnets A to J are arranged in squirrelcage formation about the armature 35, and are adjustably held in a framesurrounding said armature, preferably by means of a pair of shafts 43,44, one of which is preferably screw-threaded, and has a threadedconnection with its respective, magnet, so that by turningsaid threadedshaft, as by means of a screw driver, any given magnet may be adjustedwith reference to the solenoid 34, and hence the tuning as determined byany given electro-magnet accurately adjusted. It also providesmeans fordetermining a given station and also giving a control over the volumethereof.

Fromthe foregoing it will be seen that whenever the solenoid 34 isenergized, the power armature 35 will be drawn inwardly but the extentof its inward travel will be determined by the particular controlelectro-magnet A to J which happens to be energized, and whose armature42 is in the path of movement of head 36 of said armature. At the sametime, the magnetic force of the solenoid 34, which moves the powerarmature 35 inwardly, also moves the tuning armature 33 inwardly, butinthe opposite direction, until the ends of the two armatures meet asshown in Fig. 5. Since the control electro-magnet, shown as A in Fig. 5,has previously been'set at a predetermined position corresponding to thewave length of the desired broadcasting station, the movement of thetuning armature 33 to the position shown will rotate the set condensersin such a manner as totune in this station. When, however, the solenoid34 is deenergized, the power armature will. be returned to its extremeouter position by the spring 31 leaving, however, the tuning armature inits last position, as there is no mechanical connection between thetuning and the power armatures. Thus when the set is to be tuned byhand, for example, the tuning armature 33 moves freely along the centralshaft 40 without interference from the power armature.

In order to obtain a clearer understanding of the foregoing, Figs. 9 to12 inclusive show diagrammatically the condition of the power, tuningand magnet armatures during successive stages in automatically tuning toa predetermined staion.

To return to the selector keyboard 23, the individual keys therein 50,are secured in depressed position by means of the notch 5!, en-

gaging with the cover of the keyboard as best key in that horizontal rowis depressed, said bar is electrically joined to the conductor 21corresponding to the vertical row in which the depressed key is located.

As previously stated, the mechanism provided is designed either tooperate the set continuously, whereby the set is always playingregardless of the tuning mechanism, or intermittently in which the setis off, unless a key corresponding to the next unit of time isdepressed. An example of tuning the set for constant operation will beas follows:

Station B from 3 oclock to 4 oclock; Station A from 4 oclock to 6oclock; Station C from 6 oclock throughout the nine-hour period until 3oclock following, when station B is again tuned in.

An example of tuning for intermittent operation, might be the following:

Station B from 3 oclock to 4 oclock; Station A from 4 oclock to 5oclock; Station C from 6 oclock to 7, the set being off from 5 to 6, andfrom 7 until the following 3 oclock. 7

As will be apparent, the set may be controlled by one of two majorcircuits, depending on whether the switch 60, Figs. 7 and 1, is thrownto either the Con or the Int position.

Suppose now that the switch is swung to "Con and that the key forstation B at 3 o'clock be depressed, all as shown in Fig. 13. At saidhour by the clock 2!, current will flow as follows: From the line Lthrough switch 60, the conductor Bl, to central contact 22a, contact arm22, to the edge of the 3oclock sector 25, (3'), thence down thecorresponding conductor 21, and since the key B,-3 oclock, has beendepressed, through the bus bar 53, to magnet B, a power relay 52, switch30, resistance 63 back to line 13. The power relay 52 is composed of thecoils a: and y, neither of which. alone is able to close the circuitcontrolled thereby, which as will be seen, includes the power solenoid33. Therefore, although portion a: of the power relay 62 has beenenergized, there has been no closing of the circuit through the powersolenoid, and consequently the set is as yet untuned to station B. A fewseconds, however, subsequent to the energization of the a: portion ofthe power relay 62, contact 23 bears upon contact piece 25 correspondingto 3 oclock, and completes a second circuit as follows: Referring toFigure 13, current flows from the line L through switch 60, conductor6|, arm 22, contact piece 25, collector ring 25a, conductor 65, ,1portion of the power relay 62, resistance 66, line L This actuates thepower relay and completes the circuit through the power solenoid asfollows: Line L conductor 61, power solenoid 34, conductor 68, contact62a of power relay 52, conductor 10 to line L The instant this circuitis made, the power armature is actuated and its travel is determined bythe fact of the energization of magnet B, whereby the set is tuned tostation B.

A few seconds later, contact 23 will have moved off the contact piece25, thus breaking the circuit therethrough, and through the 1 portion ofthe power relay, thus breaking relay contact 6211 and allowing the powerarmature 35 to return to its inoperative position by means of the spring31. However, the set remains tuned to station B, and the program fromstation B is thus received and reproduced until in accordance with thesetting of the selector keyboard above given, the contact 24 of arm 22moves off 3 oclock segment 26 (at the instant of 4 oclock) when themagnet 13' is released, the magnet A is energized (in accordance withthe board setting), and the station A tuned in as above described forstation B.

When the clock arm 22 reaches sector 28 corresponding to o'clock, sinceno key corresponding to said hour has been depressed, the circuitsthrough the z and 3 portions of power relay 62 are opened, but the setcontinues to be tuned to station A, since it is connected to the line asfollows: Line L conductor 12, the set conductor H, and line 1?.

When contact 23 bears upon contact piece 25 at 5 oclock, the circuit ismade through the 1 portion of power relay as before, but since the a:portion of power relay continues to be inoperative, the switch 62acontrolled thereby remains open, and no change occurs in the tuning ofthe set. Similarly, when 6 oclock is reached, station C is tuned in, andsince no other station is called for, remains tuned in, and unlessmanually turned ofl, wouldbe played until 3 oclock of the next cyclewhen station B would be tuned in again.

The operation for the intermittent setting may now be described.Referring to Figures '7 and 14, wherein the board is shown with the samekeys depressed, the switch has been thrown to Int, this having theeffect of breaking the circuit from L to the set through conductor 12,and placing the set in series with the circuit through the a: portion ofthe power relay. Thus, when the clock arm reaches 3 oclock the circuitthrough the a: coil of the power relay will be made as before, throughalso the magnet B, and in addition, by virtue of the position of theswitch 60, through the set, thus turning it on. As soon as the circuitis made through the y coil of the power relay upon the segment 25 beingcontacted by contact 23 of the clock arm, the power solenoid will beactuated as before to tune the set to station B, as shown in Figure 14.

At 4 oclock, the set is tuned to station A in the same manner. At 5oclock, however, all control circuits are open, including the circuitthrough the set which is thus automatically turned off. A few secondslater the clock arm touches the corresponding projection 25, on theinner ring 25a, but although the current momentarily flows through thecoil 3/ of the power relay, it does not, of course, close the powersolenoid circuit. At six oclock, station C will be tuned in, and at 7oclock the set will be automatically turned off until the following 3oclock when the above cycle is repeated.

When it is desired to operate the set independently of the automaticcontrol, the switch 60 may be opened and the set connected to the linesL L by means of a switch 15. This will be accomplished in one operationby the use of a rotary switch 60' which may be of known construction.

It may frequently be desired to change from one station to anotherduring a unit interval without, however, having to turn off theautomatic control. To this end, I provide a switch 16 conveniently inthe form of a push button, which will connect conductors 6i and 65, andthereby connect the y coil of the relay 62 directly to the line, andthus energize said relay, since the a: coil will have been energized bythe operator having depressed the particular key 50, for the time andstation desired. Were it not for push button 16, the operator wouldeither have to'turn off the automatic control entirely,

and tune the station by hand, or else he would have to wait until thearm 22 contacted with the particular contact 25, on collector ring 25a.for the succeeding time interval. Thus, referring to Fig. '7, if stationA were tuned in at 4 o'clock, for example, and it was immediatelydesired to change to station C, all that is necessary is to firstdepress the four oclock-C selector key and then to actuate the pushbutton switch 18. The first operation energizes the relay C, and the a:portion of the power relay 62. The second operation energizes the 1portion of said power relay thereby causing the closure of switch 62aand the completion of the power solenoid circuit to actuate thearmatures 33, 35 whereby the tuning mechanism is adjusted as heretoforeexplained to tune in the new station C. Without switch 16, the newstation C could not, except by hand, be tuned in until 5 oclock, whenthe 1 portion of the power relay 62 would be energized by the arm 22bearing against the contact 25 in the 5 o'clock position.

It will further be understood that if desired, the control board may bedisposed apart from the radio set, and in this manner, a remote controlof the set is provided for.

Preferably I provide clock 2| with a combination clock-setting andtime-indicating member 11, Fig. 1, together with a dial l8 indicatingthe time, said members being shown as provided with a removable cover19a. In addition, a winding key 19 is provided if a spring clock isused.

It will be noted that the clock mechanism is disposed so that the arm 22rotates counter-clockwise as seen from the front of the contact segments25 and 26. This has the advantage that the numbers 1 to 12 representingthe hours as seen in Figure 1, may read from left to right without thenecessity of the conductors 26 crossing one another, and thus enablingsaid conductors to be stamped from a single sheet.

It will be understood that by connections which it is not necessary toshow here, that thedevice may beinstalled within a set and electricallyconnected thereto merely by means of a conduit 80, Fig. 8, whichwillconnect with the set at the point where it would be connected to thesource of household current, and by means of a further conduit 8|,leading from said device, will be connected to such source.

Figs. -1 and 2 of the drawings show keys for every half hour, theremaining figures, however, show keys only for every hour for thepurpose of making such drawings more legible and preventing overcrowdingof the same.

It will be'apparent that the invention may be embodied'in various otherforms and-that parts hereof may be used to the exclusion of others and Iwish it to be understood that many changes may be made without departingfrom the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the character described, tuning actuating mechanismcomprising a solenoid, a

tuning armature and a. power armature therefor movable relativelythereto and controlling the position of said tuning armature, andmagnetically actuated selector means independent of the solenoidcontrolling the position of said power armature.

2. In a device of the character described, tuning actuating mechanism,station selector mechanism and time controlled mechanism determining thetimes when said selector mechanism is to become operative, said tuningactuating mechanism having associated therewith a relay requiring forits operation the actuation 01' two circuits therethrough, means wherebyone of said circuits is controlled by said time controlled mechanism andis actuated during the unit interval of broadcasting, and means wherebythe other circuit is also controlled by said time-controlled mechanismand is actuated substantially momentarily at the beginning of saidbroadcasting interval.

,3. In a radio tuning device, automatic tuning means,- a plurality ofcircuits respectively controlling said tuning means in accordance with aplurality of broadcast wave lengths, keys controlling said circuits forselecting in advance wave lengths to which the set is to be tuned,timing means cooperating with said keys to determine the times when saidselected wave lengths are to be tuned, a relay associated with saidtuning means, said relay requiring for its actuation the making of twocircuits therethrough, means whereby one of said circuits is actuated bysaid key-controlled circuits, and means whereby the other circuit isactuated by said time-controlled means.

4. In a radio tuning device, automatic tuning means, a plurality ofcircuits respectively controlling said tuning means in accordance with aplurality of broadcast wave lengths, keys controlling said circuits forselecting in advance wave lengths to which the set is to be tuned,timing means cooperating with said keys to determine the times when saidselected wave lengths are to be tuned, a relay associated with saidtuning means, said relay requiring for its actuation the making of twocircuits therethrough, means whereby one of said circuits is actuated bysaid key-controlled circuits, and means whereby the other circuit isactuated by said time-controlled means, said circuit last mentionedbeing actuated only momentarily, whereby said automatic tuning meanswill operate only momentarily and be inoperative at all other timesduring a unit interval of broadcasting.

5. In a radio receiver, automatic tuning actuating means, a plurality ofstation selector devices for said actuating means, switch mechanismpre-set in advance for selecting the station to which the receiver is tobe tuned, clockwork cooperating with said switch mechanism to determinethe times when said selected stations are to be tuned in, said clockworkcomprising a plurality of contact segments, each having a lengthcorresponding to a unit broadcasting interval, said clockwork alsocomprising a drivenarm making contact with said segments, a plurality ofconductors each respectively connected to one of said segments, and aplurality of conductors each respectively connected to one of saidstation selector devices, the number of said station selecting switchesbeing equal to the number of clockwork conductors multiplied by thenumber of selector conductors.

6. In a program reproducing device, automatic selecting means, amultiple series of switch mech anisms for selecting in advance programswhich the device is to reproduce, time measuring means cooperating withsaid switch mechanism to determine the times when said selected programsare to be reproduced, said measuring means comprising a plurality ofcontact segments, each corresponding to a unit program interval andarranged in a predetermined order, said measuring means also comprisinga switch making contact with said segments in said order, a plurality oiconductors respectively connected to said segments, a plurality oiconductors respectively connecting each series of said switch means,program selector mechanism controlled through said conductors lastmentioned, said switch means connecting at will any given time measuringconductor with any given selector conductor.

7. In a radio tuning device, tuning means, a multiple series of keys forselecting in advance wave lengths to which the device is to be tuned,clock-work cooperating with said keys to determine the times when saidselected wave lengths are to be tuned in, said clock-work comprising aplurality of relatively movable switch members, a plurality ofconductors respectively connected to said members, a plurality ofconductors respectively connecting each series of said keys, stationselector mechanism controlled through said conductors last mentioned,said keys connecting at will any given clock-work conductor with anygiven selector conductor.

8. In a radio tuning device, automatic tuning means, a multiple seriesof switch mechanisms for selecting in advance wave lengths to which thedevice is to be tuned, clock-work cooperating with said switchmechanisms to determine the times when said selected wave lengths are tobe tuned in, a plurality of conductors respectively connecting eachseries of said switch means, station selector mechanism controlledthrough said conductors, said switch means connecting at will any givenclock-work conductor with any given selector conductor.

9. In a radio tuning device, automatic tuning means, mechanismcomprising a multiple series of independently movable keys for selectingin advance wave lengths to which the device is to be tuned, clock-workcooperating with said mechanism to determine the times when saidselected wave lengths are to be tuned in, said clock-work comprising aplurality of contact segments, each having a length corresponding to aunit broadcasting interval and arranged in clockwise order, saidclock-work also comprising a driven arm making contact with saidsegments successively, a plurality of conductors respectively connectedto said segments, a plurality of independent conductors respectivelyconnecting each series of said keys, a plurality of station controlsconnected to said independent conductors, said keys connecting at willany given clock-work conductor with any given station control.

10. In a radio tuning device, automatic tuning means, a multiple seriesof switch means for selecting in advance wave lengths to which thedevice is to be tuned, clock-work comprising a plurality of contactsegments, each having a length corresponding to a unit broadcastinginterval and arranged in clock-wise order, said clock-work alsocomprising a driven arm making contact with said segments, a pluralityof conductors respectively connected to said segments, a plurality ofconductors respectively connecting each series of said switch means,station selector -mechanism controlled through said conductors saidswitch means to determine the times when said selected wave lengths areto be tuned in,

said clock-work comprising a plurality of contact v anism, a multipleseries of depressible keys remote from said receiver for selecting inadvance wave lengths to which the receiver is to be tuned, clock-workcooperating with said keys to determine the times when said selectedwave lengths are to be tuned in, said clock-work comprising a pluralityof contact segments, each having a length corresponding to a unitbroadcasting interval, said clock-work also comprising a driven armmaking contact with said segments, a plurality of conductorsrespectively connected to said segments, a plurality of conductorsrespectively cooperating with each series of said keys, station selectormechanism controlled .through said conductors last mentioned, said keyscapable of being rendered active by the clockwork in one of thepositions of said driven arm.

13. In a radio'receiver, an adjustable tuning condenser, a tuningarmature, a flexible cable between the condenser shaft and the armature,an actuating solenoid for the armature, a source oi. power, a controlarmature arranged for actuation by said solenoid and adapted to move ina direction opposite to that of the tuning armature, a plurality ofselector electromagnets disposed in operative relation with respect tosaid control armature, means for adjusting each 01. said selectors for agiven station and the volume thereof, the control and tuning armaturesbeing mechanically independent whereby the condenser shaft may bemanually adjusted at any setting or. the tuning armature, a selectorkey-board afllxed to said receiver and including a plurality ofindependent, depressible keys for selecting in advance stations to whichthe receiver is to be tuned, the keys being arranged in accordance withunit broadcasting intervals, clock-work cooperating with said kcy-boardto determine the times when said selected stations are to be tuned in,said clock-work comprising a ring of contact segments corresponding tosaid unit broadcasting intervals and arranged in clock-wise order, asecond ring of 'contact segments, corresponding to relatively shortfractions of said unit intervals, disposed concentric with said firstring, said clock-work also comprising a driven arm including a pair ofelements for making contact with the segments of both rings, said drivenarm being arranged for counter-clockwise rotation, a plurality ofconductors respectively connected to said first ring of segments, aplurality oi. conductors respectively connecting said keys, saidplurality of selector electromagnets being connected to said keys andthe segments of said clock-work, a power relay comprising a pair ofwindings and an armature, one of the windings being connected betweensaid power source and said control electromagnets, the otherwinding-being connected between said second ring of segments and saidsource, said relay armature being connected to one terminal of saidsolenoid and being adapted for connection to one terminal 01' said powersource, when said second winding is energized, said solenoid having itsother terminal connected to the remaining terminal of said power sourcewhereby attraction of said relay armature results in energization ofsaid solenoid, said second winding being energized for a period equal tothe duration of contact between the driven arm of said clock-work and asegment in said second ring, a switch mechanism, disposed between saidpower source, receiver, and clock driven arm for selectively renderingthe receiver operative or inoperative during intervals when no key isdepressed, said mechanism including means for selectively connecting oneterminal of said receiver to said first relay winding whereby depressionof a key automatically connects the receiver to said power source, andan additional switch mechanism connected between one terminal of thepower source and one terminal of the relay second winding for instantlyadjusting the tuning armature to a position corresponding to a depressedkey, regardless of the driven arm position of the said clock-work.

14. In a radio receiver, a power source therefor, automatic tuningmeans, a plurality of depressible keys for selecting in advance wavelengths to which the receiver is to be tuned, clock-work cooperatingwith said keys to determine the times when said selected wave lengthsare to be tuned in, said clock-work comprising a plurality of contactsegments corresponding to unit broadcasting intervals and arranged inclock-wise order, said clock-work also comprising a driven arm makingcontact with said segments successively, a plurality o1 conductorsrespectively connected to said segments, a plurality of conductorsrespectively connecting said keys, station selector mechanism controlledthrough said conductors last mentioned, said keys connecting at will anygiven clock-work conductor with any given selector conductor, a switchmechanism, disposed between said power source, receiver, and clockdriven arm for selectively rendering the receiver operative orinoperative during intervals when no key is depressed, said mechanismincluding means for selectively connecting one terminal of said receiverto said selector mechanism whereby depression of a key automaticallyconnects the receiver to said power source.

15. In a radio tuning device, an adjustable tuning condenser, a tuningarmature, a flexible cable between the condenser shaft and the armature,an actuating solenoid for the armature, a remote selector keyboardincluding a plurality of independent depressible keys for selecting inadvance wave lengths to which the receiver is to be tuned, the keysbeing arranged in accordance with unit broadcasting intervals, a sourceof power, a control armature arranged for actuation by said solenoid andadapted to move in a direction opposite to that of the tuning armature,a plurality of selector electromagnets disposed in operative relationwith respect to said control armature, means for adjusting each of saidselectors for a given station and the volume thereof, the control andtuning armatures being independent whereby the'condenser shaft may bemanually adjusted at any setting oi' the tuning armature.

16. In a radio tuning device, an adjustable tuning condenser, a tuningarmature, a flexible cable between the condenser shaft and the armature,an actuating solenoid for the armature, a remote selector keyboardincluding a plurality of independent depressible keys for selecting inadvance wave lengths to which the receiver is to be tuned, the keysbeing arranged in accordance with unit broadcasting intervals, a sourceof power, a control armature arranged ,ior actuation by said solenoidand adapted to move in a direction opposite to that of the tuningarmature, a plurality of selector electromagnets disposed adjacent saidcontrol armature, means for adjusting each of said selectors for a givenstation and the volume thereof, the control and tuning armatures beingindependent whereby the condenser shaft may be manually adjusted at anysetting of the tuning armature, and clock-work operated switchingmechanism cooperating with the keys of said keyboard to determine thetimes when said selected wave lengths are to be tuned in.

17. In a device of the character described, tuning actuating mechanismcomprising a solenoid and a pair of independently operated armaturescontrolled thereby including a tuning armature and a power armaturewhich controls the position of said tuning armature, and magneticallyactuated selector means independent of the solenoid controlling theposition of said power armature.

18. In a device of the character described, tuning actuating mechanismcomprising a solenoid and a pair of independently operated armaturescontrolled thereby including a tuning armature and a power armaturewhich controls the position of said tuning armature, and a plurality ofmagnetically actuated selector means independent of the solenoidcontrolling the position of said power armature.

19. In a device of the character described, tuning actuating mechanismcomprising a solenoid and a pair of independently operated 'armaturescontrolled thereby including a tuning armature and a power armaturewhich controls the position of said tuning armature, magneticallyactuated selector means independent of the solenoid controlling theposition of said power armature, and a plurality of station selectorsconnected to said selector means.

20. In a device of the character described, tuning actuating mechanismcomprising a solenoid, a tuning armature and a power armature thereforcontrolling the position of said tuning armature, magnetically actuatedselector means controlling the position of said power armature, aplurality of station selectors connected to said selector means andmeans for adjusting the distance between said magnetically actuatedselector means and said solenoid.

21. In a radio receiving set having a movable tuning. element, incombination, an electrical motor device for actuating said element toany one of a plurality of predetermined broadcast wavelength positions,a plurality of electromagnetic position determining means associatedwith said motor device to determine the position to which said tuningelement can be actuated by said motor device, a series of electricalcircuits associated with each of said plurality of position determiningmeans, means for preselecting a desired sequence of operation of saidcircuits of each 'series at intervals corresponding to broadcast motordevice for actuating said element to any one 01' a plurality ofpredetermined broadcast wavelength positions, a plurality ofelectromagnetic position determining means associated with said motordevice to determine the position to which said tuning element can beactuated by said motor device, a series of electrical circuitsassociated with each of said plurality of position determining means,means for preselecting a desired sequence of operation of said circuitsof each series at intervals corresponding to broadcast periods, a clockoperated mechanism for rendering said circuits of each series operativein accordance with the said preselected sequence, and at least one pushbutton device electrically associated with said clock operated mechanismand motor device to individually adjust a tuning position to which themotor device moves said tuning element.

23. In combination, a radio broadcast receiver provided with a tuningelement, an electrical motor device coupled with said tuning element foradjusting it to predetermined broadcast station positions, an electricalcontrol circuit for the motor, a plurality of station positiondetermining devices associated with the motor device, each determiningdevice corresponding to a desired one of said station positions andbeing constructed to prevent further adjustment of the tuning element bysaid motor device, means for controlling simultaneously the energizationof said motor control circuit and the actuation of said determiningdevices comprising a plurality of station selector manuals adapted to beadjusted according to a predetermined broadcast programsequence, aplurality of control elements for the control circuit adapted to bepreset according to said sequence by said manuals and a clock actuatedmechanism, movable with respect to said manuals, for connecting saidcontrol elements to the control circuit according to the programsequence.

24. In combination, radio tuning mechanism, means for actuating saidtuning mechanism, a control unit for said actuating means comprising asupport provided with a series of independent members, eachcorresponding to a different radio station, means interconnecting saidmembers with the actuating means, a second series of independent memberscorresponding to equal time intervals associated with the first seriesof members, clockwork mechanism having means coopcrating with saidsecond series of members, and a multiple series of selector devices, thenumber of such series being equal to the number of station members, andthe number in each series being equal to the number of time intervalmembers, each such device being capable of cooperatively associating aparticular member of the first series with a particular member of thesecond series, whereby the tuning mechanism is actuated to tune in aplurality of stations in a predetermined sequence and at regularintervals depending upon which of the selector devices are actuated.

25. In combination, radio tuning mechanism, means for actuating saidtuning mechanism, a control unit for said actuating-means comprising asupport provided with locating means for symbols representing aplurality of radio broadcasting stations and also provided with a seriesof independent members corresponding respectively to such symbols and tothe diflerent carrier frequencies of such radio stations, meansoperatively and electrically interconnecting said members with theactuating means, a second series of independent members corresponding totime intervals associated with the first series of members, clockworkmechanism having means cooperating with said second series of members,and a multiple series of selector devices, the number of such seriesbeing equal to the number of station members, and the number in eachseries being equal to the number of time interval members, each suchdevice being capable of cooperatively connecting a particular member ofthe first series with a particular member of the second series, wherebythe tuning mechanism is actuated to tune in a plurality of stations in apredetermined sequence of time depending upon which of the selectordevices are actuated.

26. In combination, radio tuning mechanism adjustable to a plurality oftuning positions, electrical means for actuating said tuning mechanism,a control unit for said actuating means comprising a cabinet providedwith a series of independent members, each corresponding to a difierentone of said tuning positions, individual conductors operativelyinterconnecting said members with the actuating means, a second seriesof independent members corresponding to time intervals associated withthe first series of members, clockwork mechanism mounted on said cabinetand having switching means cooperating with said second series ofmembers, and a multiple series of selector devices, the number of suchseries being equal to the number of station members, and the number ineach series being equal to the number oi time interval members, eachsuch device being operable at will to electrically connect a particularmember or the first series with a particular member 01' the secondseries, whereby the tuning actuating means is energized to adjust thetuning mechanism to a plurality of tuning positions at predeterminedintervals and in a definite sequence depending upon which of theselector devices are operated.

127. In combination, radio tuning mechanism, means for actuating saidtuning mech anism to a plurality of predetermined station positions, acontrol unit for said actuating means comprising a support provided witha key-board having a plurality of keys arranged in horizontal andvertical rows, a bus bar for each horizontal row of keys correspondingto one of said plurality oi station positions, means interconnectingsaid bus bars with the actuating means, a bus bar for each vertical row01' keys corresponding to predetermined time intervals, said horizontaland vertical bus bars being normally in non-contacting relation,clockwork mechanism mounted on said cabinet and having means for makingindividual electrical contact with said vertical bus bars, and meanscontrolled by said keys for causing electrical contact to be madebetween their respective horizontal and vertical bus bars, thearrangement being such that upon operation of any selected number ofkeys their respective horizontal and vertical bus bars are electricallyconnected, and upon the subsequent individual engagement of theclockwork contacting means with the vertical bus bars of the operatedkeys in a certain sequence, energizatlon of the tuning mechanismactuating means is efiected to adjust said mecha nism to stationpositions corresponding to the horizontal bus bars of the operated keysin the same sequence and at predetermined time intervals.

28. In combination, radio tuning mechanism, means for actuating saidtuning mechanism to a plurality of predetermined station positions. acontrol unit for said actuating means comprising a cabinet provided withsuitable means for designating a plurality ofradio broadcasting stationscorresponding to the predetermined station positions and also providedwith a plurality of horizontal members corresponding respectively tosuch designating means and to the different carrier frequencies of suchstations, means operatively and electrically interconnecting saidmembers with the actuating means, a plurality of vertical memberscorresponding to time intervals arranged in non-contacting relation withthe horizontal members, clockwork mechanism mounted within said cabinetand having a movable arm contacting with said vertical members one at atime, and a manually operated key disposed at each intersection oi. thehorizontal and vertical members whereby said members are urged tocontacting relation at a particular intersection upon operation of thecorresponding key, the arrangement being such that upon the conjointaction or the clockwork movable arm with any vertical member and or .themanual key associated with said vertical member with any horizontalmember, the tuning mechanism actuating means is energized to move thetuning mechanism to the station position corresponding to the horizontalmember and will remain in that position at least so long as the movablearm contacts with the vertical bar.

JOHN THOMPSON JONES.

